Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker (center) presents a $7.9 million check
from the Commonwealth to Dr. Timothy Block, HBF President (left) and Dr. Thomas
Leamer, Former President of Delaware Valley University (right) on January 7, 2003.

PA Governor Ed Rendell approved the Commonwealth award to the Foundation and
University after his inauguration on January 21, 2003.

In 2001, former Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker jointly awarded $7.9
million to the Hepatitis B Foundation and Delaware Valley University towards
the development of a biotechnology center in Bucks County, Pennsylvania – the
first of its kind. As his last official act in office, the state award represented
an enormous opportunity for the two nonprofit organizations to work together
as partners with a common vision: to stimulate the biotechnology community,
so new companies and ideas will be launched, and relationships networked.

The Foundation and University originally planned to build an entirely new facility,
but fortuitously was given an opportunity to purchase an empty 62,000 square
foot warehouse fated for abandonment. The building, which once employed more
than 100 workers, was renovated to create state-of-the-art research labs
and offices to house nonprofit research organizations and biotech companies
under one roof. By using an existing structure, the need for new construction
was avoided and spared almost 10 acres of open space!

The Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County is home to
the Hepatitis B Foundation and its research institute, the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, as well as other research
organizations.

The Center is truly unique with its wealth of resources
and core group of nonprofit scientists and educators motivated to work collaboratively
with their commercial colleagues on common research themes.